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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Melinda say when the coroner asks if she has any reason for thinking Vic was responsible for De Lisle's death?

2. Who does Horace think Carpenter might be a friend of?

3. What do Vic and Melinda serve for dinner in Part III?

4. Where does the new man Melinda introduces Vic to say he works?

5. Where is the coroner's inquest into De Lisle's death held?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Melinda tell Vic that Carpenter concluded about Vic?

2. What does Vic decide to do for Trixie in Part IV that Melinda objects to?

3. What does Melinda tell Vic that she will do late in Part IV that shocks him?

4. Why does Don Wilson move out of town?

5. Who attends the Mellers' barbecue in Part IV, and why is this strange?

6. What are both Vic and Melinda happy to hear about Trixie?

7. What does Melinda do in Part III in order to hurt Vic?

8. What does Vic never feel after killing De Lisle?

9. How do the other partygoers react to the death inquiry of De Lisle?

10. What does Horace tell Vic about Melinda's persistent claims that he is a murderer?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Do you think Highsmith's ending - climaxing with Melinda Van Allen's murder by her husband, Vic - is believable and consistent with the rest of the novel? Write an essay explaining why or why not, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

How does Vic handle the fact that Melinda hires a private investigator to try to prove he did kill De Lisle and what does this behavior reveal about his character? Write an essay explaining your answers.

Essay Topic 3

How would you describe Highsmith's tone and language throughout this novel? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

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